PLTW Biomed 1.2

Autopsy

A systematic examination of the entire body after death. It helps the forensics team determine clues to homicides and the medical team determine a time and cause of death. These must occur when a person has died mysteriously.

Cause Of Death

The specific injury that led to the victim's death in a direct manner (Stab Wound, Gunshot, Heart Attack, Organ Failure)

Mechanism Of Death

What happened in the body physiologically that led to the death (Blood Loss, Cardiac Arrest, Asphyxia, Cerebral Contusion)

Manner Of Death

The circumstances that resulted in the death, whether it was unnatural or natural. (Natural, Accidental, Suicidal, Homicidal)

Organ System

A group of organs in a body that work together to perform a specific function.

Endocrine System

The system that eliminates waste in the body and balances water amounts in the body.

Circulatory System

The system that pumps blood all around the body using veins and arteries to replenish the oxygen and distribute it among the organs.

Integumentary System

This system that regulates body temperature and serves as the external covering of the body to protect. It also aids the other body systems as well.

Respiratory System

The system that keeps blood supplied with oxygen from inhaling and removes carbon dioxide from exhaling.

Excretory System

The system that secretes hormones to contribute to reproduction and metabolism in the cells

Nervous System

The system that responds to changes externally and internally and processes information

Immune System

The system that filters blood in the body and fights against foreign attacks from viruses and bacteria.

Reproductive System

The system that produces and transports semen to nurture offspring

Digestive System

The system that breaks down food into nutrients and rids body of digestive waste

Skeletal System

The system that supports and protects the organs, stores minerals, and serve as framework for movement.

Muscular System

The system that moves the organs and body, maintains posture and produces insulation.

Physiological Time Of Death

The determined time that the decedent's organs stopped working and functioning

Estimated Time Of Death

The estimated time that the medical examiner determined based on the autopsy

Legal Time Of Death

The legal time that is recorded on the death certificate of the decedent based on the location and state of the death.

Glaister Equation

A formula used for determining the approximate time period since death based on body temperature

Algor Mortis

The cooling of the body after death. This happens immediately after death and ends 24 hours post mortem.

Rigor Mortis

The stiffening of the body after death. This happens 2-4 hours after death and ends around 36 hours after death.

Livor Mortis

The pooling of the blood in tissues after death resulting in a reddish color to the skin due to the force of gravity. This happens around 5 hours after death.

Clouding Of The Corneas

The eyes begin to cloud because the pupils no longer have reflexes to reflect light. This happens around 30 minutes after death.

Decomposition

The body begins to break down and rot, which makes it one of the longest processes post mortem. This happens 36-48 hours after the death of the person.

Insect Activity

Insects, including blowflies, lay eggs, which hatch into larvae and adult insects, which live on the body. This can happen really anytime post mortem, but it mostly happens during the decomposition step.

Forensic Toxicology

The examination of the digestive system of the body to identify any toxic and poisonous substances the decedent ingested prior to their death.

Physical Digestion

The mechanical breakdown of large food particles into smaller ones

Chemical Digestion

The body's use of acids in the small intestine and the stomach to break down the small parts of food into small molecules of nutrients to turn into energy

Metabolism

Metabolism is the process of breaking food down into very small molecules of nutrients to turn into energy, which happens in the small intestine. These small molecules of nutrients are call metabolites, which reside in the tissues and many other places in the body. Any ingested chemicals can disrupt the process of metabolism, which could be deadly.

Histology

The study of the microscopic anatomy of tissues

Central Nervous System

Processes information sent by the peripheral nervous system about the environment, makes decisions, and sends signals back to the peripheral nervous system to make changes in movement.

Peripheral Nervous System

Takes in information from the outside world, sends it to the central nervous system, and takes orders from signals sent from brain.

Frontal Lobe

The Frontal Lobe is responsible for planning and organizing information. It also controls behavior and emotions

Parietal Lobe

The Parietal Lobe integrates sensory and visual details in the decisions that the brain makes.

Temporal Lobe

The Temporal Lobe processes language and stores information for any long term memory

Occipital Lobe

The Occipital Lobe receives and processes sensory nerve impulses from the eyes

Normal Brain

No indication of chronic or traumatic brain damage

Traumatic Brain Injury

A brain dysfunction caused by an outside force to the head.

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy

A progressive degeneration, and/or death, of nerve cells caused by repeated head injuries, such as repeated concussions.

Nervous Tissue

Nerves, the spinal cord, and the brain are composed of nervous tissues. This tissue, made up of specialized cells called neurons, works to receive, interpret, and respond to signals.

Epithelial Tissue

Epithelial tissue is composed of epithelial cells aligned in sheets and connected to one another. This tissue can be found lining the outer surfaces of all organs and blood vessels, in the mouth, and on the surfaces of humans. This tissue works to absorb, secrete, protect, and sense for us.

Muscle Tissue

Muscle tissue makes up the muscles found in the body. Muscle tissue can be striated, smooth, or cardiac. Striated muscle tissue, also known as skeletal muscle tissue, is attached to bones. Smooth muscle tissue is found in the walls of internal organs. Cardiac muscle tissue is found in the walls of the heart. This tissue provides the ability to contract.

Connective Tissue

Connective tissue supports and connects other tissue types in the body. Different types of connective tissue work to hold organs in place, attach muscle to bones, link bones with joints, or enable other tissues (like lungs) to stretch. It is found attached to and in between other tissues types in the body.

cardiovascular system

The transport system of the body responsible for carrying oxygen and nutrients to the body and carrying away carbon dioxide and other wastes; composed of the heart, blood vessels, and blood.

systemic circulation

The series of vessels that bring oxygenated blood from the heart to tissues and return deoxygenated blood from the tissues back to the heart. It includes the left atrium, left ventricle, aorta, and pulmonary veins.

Pulmonary Circulation

Part of the circulatory system in which deoxygenated blood moves from the right atrium of the heart to the lungs (through arteries) to become oxygenated and then returns to the left side of the heart (through veins). It includes the right atrium, the right ventricle, and the pulmonary arteries.

Coronary Arteries

The blood vessels that supply oxygen to the tissues of the heart

Right Ventricle

The chamber that receives deoxygenated blood from the right atrium and pumps it to the lungs.

Left Ventricle

The thickest chamber and is responsible for pumping oxygenated blood to tissues all over the body.

Apex

The lowest part of the heart that is narrower than the rest of the heart

Auricles

The ear-like extensions of the atria.

Right Atrium

Chamber that receives deoxygenated blood from the vena cava.

Left Atrium

Chamber that receives oxygenated blood from the lungs.

Brachiocephalic Artery

A major artery that branches from the arch of the aorta.

Superior And Inferior Vena Cava

One of the largest veins in the human body. Returns blood to the right atrium from the upper and lower half of the body.

Aorta

The largest artery in the body. Carries oxygenated blood from the left ventricle to the rest of the body.

Mitral Valve

The Valve that separates the left atrium from the left ventricle found in the left side of the heart.

Tricuspid Valve

The Valve that separates the right atrium from the right ventricle found in the right side of the heart

Pulmonary Veins

The veins that send oxygenated blood to the heart for distribution among the body. These veins are attached to the left atrium and ventricle.

Pulmonary Arteries

The arteries that send deoxygenated blood to the lungs to replenish the oxygen within them. These arteries are attached to the right atrium and ventricle.

Papillary Muscles

Muscles located in the ventricles that attach to the cusps of the tricuspid and mitral valves via the chordae tendineae found in both sides of the heart. These muscles tug the chordae tendineae to open and close the valves

Chordae Tendineae

Fibrous cords that attach to the tricuspid and mitral valves found in both sides of the heart. They are tugged at to open every valve in the heart simultaneously.

Aortic Valve

The Valve found in the aorta that permits blood to flow into the aorta from the left ventricle

Angina

Chest pain due to a reduced blood flow in the heart. Angina is the primary symptom of Coronary Artery Disease. Symptoms include Tightness and Heaviness

Atherosclerosis

The buildup of plaque in an artery's walls. Atherosclerosis can lead to events such as heart attacks or stroke due to the plaque damaging the inner wall or completely blocking the artery, stopping blood flow. Symptoms include High Cholesterol, Diabetes, Obesity, and Aging

Myocardial Farction

The death of a heart muscles that results from the plaque from Atherosclerosis. This can create blood clots that can clog up smaller coronary arteries in the heart. Symptoms include Nausea and Sweating

Aortic Valve Stenosis

The obstruction of blood flow within the Aorta. As one ages, the aorta begins to stiffen, causing the valves in the aorta to slow down and only partially allow blood to go through the valve. Symptoms include Fainting and Dizziness

Patent Foramen Ovale

An abnormal hole within the atria of the heart. Present at birth, it usually is harmless .Typically, PFO holes are genetic. Symptoms include Ischemic Stroke and Migraines.

Congestive Heart Failure

A cardiovascular disorder caused by multiple disorders that causes your heart to be slow to send blood throughout your body. Less blood exits the ventricle with each heart beat, making you weaker and more tired. CHF is a result of coronary artery disease and high blood pressure. Symptoms include Metabolic Syndrome and High Blood Pressure

Ventricular Septal Defect

A hole within the septum which allows oxygen rich blood to mix with the oxygen poor blood. Symptoms include having a bluish tint to your skin color and swelling

Bacterial endocarditis

An infection caused by the invasion of bacteria into the bloodstream, where it settles in the lining of a valve or vessel. Notable symptoms include chills and fever.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

The thickening of the heart that slows down blood flow due to the thicker artery walls not allowing as much to flow into and out of the heart. Symptoms include Arrythmias and Shortness of Breath